Musical instrument.



L. H. MAIER. I MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 10, 1911.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

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MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 10, 1911.

Til-034,81 1-.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

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APPLIQATION FILED NOV, 10, 1911..

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

4 SHEETS -SHEET 3.

L. H. MAIER. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT,

APPLICATION FILED fiOV. 10, 1911.

1 ,O34,81 1 Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

4 SHEETS SHEET 4.

LOUIS H. MAIER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EMUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

Application filed November 10, 1911. Serial No. 658,47&

Ta all whom it my concern:

it known that I, Louis H. MAIER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of -New York city, borough of the Bronx, in

the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Musical Instruments,

. of; 'hich the following is a specification.

e object of my invention is to support the. music rolls in player pianos and analogous instruments within the key bottom in such manner that the. music rolls may be pulled out in front of the piano for operating them, and may be pushed back into a space in the key bottom beneath the keys, whereby the music rolls are supported be-' neath the keys so as not to interfere with the operator.

. Myinvention comprises novel details of in position for use; Fig. 2 is asection on the line 2, 2, in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view showing the music roll box pushed back under the keys, also showing a portion of the piano action; Fig. 4 is a section on the plane of the line 4, 4, in Fig. 1; Fig.5 is a'i'ear View of the music roll box;

.Fig'. 6 is a detail section on the line 6, 6,

in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a detail cross section on I the line 7, 7, in Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a partly broken perspective view of a portion of the music-roll box-supporting devices; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a grand piano provided with my ii'nprovemcnts, and Fig. 10 is a similar view of an upright piano provided with my improvements.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The. numeral 1 indicates a key bed or. key bottom of a piano beneath the keys 2.

My improvements-may be applied in a grand piano, illustrated in Fig.1 9, or in an upright piano illustrated in Fig. 10,01. in any analogous musical instrument.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated part of apiano action, which forms no part of my: present invention, and may be anyap' proved construction adapted to be operated by the keys 2, as well as by a player mocha-f nisni not necessary to illustrate. In the example illustrated, however, I have shown rods 4 adapted to operate the keys, said rods passing through suitable guides or openings in the key bottom 1, and adapted to be operated by player mechanism in any wellknown manner. 1* indicates the key-frame carried by bottom 1. 1

The music-roll mechanism, to which my invention pertains, is arranged as follows: For a suitable depth and width atone edge of the frame, as at the front of the piano, beneath the keys and thekey-frame, the bottom board 1 is cut away forming an opening 1, adapted to receive the frame or box 5 of the music roll supporting and operating mechanism, whereby said music roll mechanism may be maintained, when not in use, below the keys and partially within the key bottom (see Fig. 3), and when the music roll mechanism is to be used for operating the piano, the frame or box 5 is pulled out 'in fmnt of the piano (see Figs. 1, 2, 4, 9

and 10).

Frame 5 may be of any suitable construction, and is shown provided with means for supporting the music spool 6 and the takeup spool 7, which carry the music sheet 8. A tracker 9 of suitable construction is also carried by frame 5. Any suitable mechanism 5 may be provided for operating themusic rolls, and having a re-roll finger 5 The mechanism I have shown is located within a compartment 5 of frame 1 (see Fig.

The driving shaft 10 of the music roll op raiing mechanism is carried in suitable bearings on frame 5, and is shown. connected by a universal joint 11 with shaft 12 to be operated by a motor, whereby frame 5' may be pulled out and pushed back beneath the key s without interfering with shaft 12.

In order to maintain, in proper positions, the flexible tubes 9 that connect the tracker orifices with an exhaust chai iber'12 (that is shown carried by the key bottom 1),; the

tubes 93 are made sufficiently long so as not to be stretched when frame 5 is. pull edout toits limit, and in order to support the tubes 'properl when frame 5 is pushed back 'beneatht keys, said frame is shownp rovided with a cross bar l i that overlie'sthe substantially parallel tubes 9, whereby when frame 5 is ushed back beneaththe. keys the. bar 14:.W1Zll extend into the bights ,9 of tubes 9" (Fig; 3); and thereby supportsaid tubes and keep them from hanging ing from the rear of frame 5.

V down in the way of the operator. The tubes 9 where they pass from chamber 12 are shown resting upon a support carried by bottom 1, and by having the suport'15 in substantially circular form the-tu es 9 may rest easily thereon and move therearound in curved form so as not to bend the tubes. Bar 14 is showncarried by rods 14" project- Frame 5 1s sultably carried by key bottom 1 in such manner that it may be properly rollers 21 that fit and operate freely within supported when drawn out from said key bottoma'nd when pushed into the same, and I also provide means to lock said frame to the key bottom in either of said positions. In the arrangement I have illustrated I provide, along each side or edgel of opening 1*, of the key bottom, a channel member 16 within which channel member is slidably supported another channel member'17, having flanges 17 and stops 17? at the forward end, the members 17 being connected by a rear cross member or bar 18. Suitable stops are provided to limit theoutward' movement of channel frame members 17. For this purpose I have shown pins 19 carried by bottom 1' adapted to be engaged by pins 2Q.

carried by cross member 18 (see Figs. 2, 7 and 8). Frame 5 fits freely between the members 16 and .17 and carries atits ends channel member 17, being retained in position by the flanges 17* and adapted to abut against the end members 17 and 17 of members 17 (see Fig. 8). The arrangement is such that when frame 5 is pulled out from the keybottom the rollers 21 will travel freely in channel members 17 until the forward rollers engage the stops 17 and thereupon channel members 17 will be pulled out wardly until its stops 20 engage stops 19 and the frame-5 will be in proper forward position. I/Vhen frame 5 is pushed back into the key bottom, the rollers 21' slide along channel members 17 until the rearward rollers engage stops 17 and thereupon the channel members 17 will be pushed back.

in channel members 16 ,until frame 5 is in the proper rearward position. .To retain frame 5 at the rearward and forward positions I provide the following means: At the back of frame 5 is a longitudinally slidable rod 22 adapted to project beyond one end of said frame to engage holes 3:, w in the key bottom '(Fig'. 1) and at the opposite end'of frame 5 is a longitudinally slidable rod 24,

whose outer end is adapted to project be- ,yond frame 5 and enter holes 3 y in key bottom 1 '(Fig. 1). The rods 22 and 24 are preferably located in the recesses a; b, 'att-heback of frame 5, and are shown held in place by straps or the like 26 (see Fig. 5). 'Rods 2 2 and 24 areshown respectively pressed outwardly by springs 27 and 28 (see Fig. 5). To operate rods 22 and'24 simultan'eously, the adjacent bent ends 22, 24"

of said rods travel in slots 0, d, in the .back

of wall of frame 5,,(Fig. 6) and areien gaged by the corresponding ends of a rocker 29, pivoted upon frame 5, asat 30, the free end of rocker 29 being shown connected by link 31 with an arm 32 on a shaft33 journaled upon the bottom'of frame 5 and pro vided with a handle 34 for operating said shaft. When frame 5 is pushed rearwardly 1n the key bottom the rods 22 and 24 enter holes :12, y, and when the frame is pulled outwardly the rods 22 and 24 enter the holes w, y. The members 17 are provided with holes :2 an? adapted to aline, respectively, withholes w and y when frame 5 is at; the rearward position, and with holes w, y.

when the frame lis pulled-out, the rods 22.

24 passing through the holes m m and look ing the members 17 to the members 16..

Upon frame I are located the tempo fingers 35 and its "indicator 35, and a button 36, which may be used as a signal button, and the buttons 37, one of which may be used to raise the dampers and the others may be used to raise the hammers of the piano action in separate sections controlled'severally by such buttons to reduce the volume of tone, or for any other purpose which may be desired. Such buttons may be connected by flexible tubes with the corresponding mechanism of the piano action in manner shown with respect to the tubes 9.

In accordance with my invention it will be observed that the music-roll frame 5, by being located in 'an opening formed within the key bottom, is thus raised to a convenient height to enable the legs of the operator, when sitting in front of the instrument,

to be free without interference from-the music box frame, and that the front: of frame 5 is adapted to forlngiwit'lithe adjacent portions of the key bottom, a flushfinish and appearance, so that frame 5 will, not be objectionable in appearance. While I have used the term piano herein, it will be understood that said term is intended to include other. musical instru-' bottom provided with an opening a frame provided with music roll mechanism located in said opening in the key bottom,

and means supporting the frame in the opening to enable the frame to be moved forwardly and rearwardly within said opening.

2. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening at its for- Ward part, a frame fitted to travel in said opening and provided with means to sup port music rolls and a tracker, and means supporting the frame to enable the frame to be moved forwardly and rearwardly within said opening.

3. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, a frame provided with music roll mechanism located in said opening in the key bottom, and means supporting the frame in the opening to enable the frame to be moved forwardly 'and rearwardly in said opening.

4:- A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, fitted to travel in said opening and provided with music roll mechanism and a tracker, and means to permit the frame to be moved forwardly and rearwardly with: in said openin 5. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, a frame provided with music roll mechanism located in said opening in the key bottom, and means to permit the frame to be moved forwardly and rearwardly within said opening, said frame being provided with devices for controlling operation of the instrument.

(3. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, a frame provided with means to support music rolls located in said opening in the key bottom, and guiding means to maintain said frame in operating position forwadly of said opening.

t. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, a frame fitted to travel in said opening and provided with means to support music rolls and a tracker, and means to lock the frame in the rearward and in the forward position.

8. A musical instrument having a piano action, keys, a frame carrying the keys, and a key bottom, the latter being provided with an opening beneath the keys and key frame, a frame fitted to said opening in'uuediately beneath the keys and key frame, and means to support the frame in said opening, said frame being provided with means to sup port music rolls.

9. A musical instrument having a piano action, keys, a frame carrying the keys, and a key bottom, the latter being provided with an opening beneath the keys and key frame.

a frame fitted to said opening immediately beneath the keys and key frame, and means to support the frame in said opening, said frame being provided with music roll mechanism and a tr" =ker.

10. A musicai instru ant provided with an opening in air :dg of its key bottom. a frame to be supported in said opening, said frame having means to support music roils a frame and a tracker, an exhaust chamber t cried by the instrument, and means to .inect; said exhaust chamber with the oriti it of the tracker and permit the frame to be moved outwardl rehtttively to said chamber.

11. A musical instrument having 'lt' key bottom provided with an opcni: frame titted to travel in said opening, means to permit the frame to be drawn mitwa 'dly through the opening. said frame hating music roll mechanism and a tracker below the keys, tlexibiei tubes connected with the orifices of the tracker. and a chun'iber connected with the key bottom and with said tubes.

12. A musical instrument having a hey bottom provided with an opening, a frame fitted to travel in said opening. means to permit the frame to be drawn outwardly through the opening. said frame having music roll mechanism and a tracker. tiexibic tubes connected with the oriticcs of the tracker. and a chamber connected with fire key bottom and with said tubes, said franc having means engaging the tubes to sup mrt them when the frame is within the roar {Mk tion of the opening in the key bottom.

13. it musit'ai in.--t:'umcnt provided with an opening, a frame titt'd to said opt-22mg, liittlllh to Peri-iit the frame to be drawn outwardly thrmtgh thiopening, said fr; ne having music roll imchanism and a the her. tlcxihie tui.\-. c unectml with the oriii'ts of the traciorr. and a liner *"Uitittti tl th the key bottom and it said. tutu. mid frame heing prm il t ith a bar (A Jilfv'l' the tubes, adapted to support the lat-i r when the frame is at the inner poition if said opening.

14. A musical instrument provided wait an opening, a frame titted to said openiiri, meantto permit the Hana: to be drawn new wardl v through the opening. said frame having music roll mechani m and a tract: flexible tubes connected with the oiitict-s of the tracker, and a chamber ctmnet'tcd with the key bottom and with said tutaas, sat. frame being provided with a bar ow; ,9. the tubes and adapted to support the atter when the frame at the inner portion :t said opening. the key i fl-ttulii having: a. res upon which the tubes hie near their inner ends.

15. A musical instrun'irnt provided a key bo tom having an opening. a 5 having music roll mechanism a er, pairs of inen'ibers at, opposite side. of aid opening, one member of each pair lMEDJ' slidable relatively to the other, stops to lie it movement of the slidablc member a? d means morality connecting the frame the siidable members,

it A musical instrument provided with a key bottom having an opening. a frame. ha"- slidable relatively to the other, stops to limit movement of the slidable members, and

means movably connecting the frame with the slidable members, said means comprismg rollers on the frame coacting with the slidable members.

key bottom having an opening, a frame having music, sheet mechanism and a tracker, pairs of members at opposite sides of said opening, one member of each pair being slidable relatively to the other, stops to limit movement of the slidable members, means movably connecting the frame with the slidable members, and stops on the slidable members to limit the outward movement of the frame.

18-. A musical instrument provided with a key bottom having an opening, a frame having music sheet mechanism anda tracker, palrs of members at opposite sides of said opening, one member of each pair being slidable relatively to the. other, stops to limit movement of the slidable members, means movably connecting the frame with the slidable members, and locking devices carried by the frame adapted to cpact with the key bottom to hold the frame in the outward position.

19. A musical instrument provided with a key bottom having an opening, a frame having music sheet mechanism and a tracker, pairs of members at opposite sides of said opening, one member of each pair being slidable relatively to the other, stops to limit movement of the slidable members, means movably connecting the frame with the slidable members, and locking devices carried by the frame adapted to ccact with the key bottom to hold the frame in the outward position and in the inward position.

20. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, channel members secured along opposed sides of said opening, channel members slidable in the first named members, means to limit outward movement of the slidable members, a

cross bar between said members, a frame,

first named members, means to limit outmemb ers secured along opposed si opening, channel members slidable in the 17. A musical instrument'provided with a opening,

ward movement of the slidable members, a

cross bar between said members, a frame, rollers carried by the frame and coac'ting with the slidable members, and means to lock the frame in the outward position. I

22. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an openin channel des of said first named members, means to limit out- Ward movement of the slidable members, a cross bar between said members, a frame, rollers carried by the frame and coacting with the slidable members, and means to lock the frame in the outward and in the inward position. v

23. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, channel members. secured along opposed sides of said channel members slidable in the first named members, means to limit out- -ward movement of the slidable members, a

cross bar between said members, a frame, rollers carried by the frame and coacting with the slidable members, means to lock the slidable members and the frame to the stationary members.

24. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, a frame fitted to saidopening, means to slidably support the frame in said opening, said frame having music sheet mechanism andatracker, rods carried by said frame, the key bottom being provided with holes to receive said rods when the frame is in the inner and outer positions, and means carried by the frame for operating said rods.

25. A musical instrument having a key bottom provided with an opening, a frame fitted to said opening, means to slidably support the frame in said opening, said frame having music sheet mechanism andatracker, rods carried by said frame, the key bottom being provided with holes to receive said rods, means carried by the frame for operating said rods, said means comprising a rocker to engage adjacent ends of said rods, a shaft carried by the frame, an arm carried by the frame and connected with said rocker, and a handle for operating said rod.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York, 8th day of November, D. 1911.

LOUIS H MAIER.

Witnesses:

RALPH H. RAPHAEL, T. F. BOURNE.

and State of New York, this 1,1 0 

